Visconte wanders south to seal deal

By
Sebastian Hassett

Western Sydney looks set to become the new home for Rocky Visconte after the winger was released by Brisbane Roar on Tuesday - and his first game for the Wanderers could be against his old club.

Western Sydney looks set to become the new home for Rocky Visconte after the winger was released by Brisbane Roar on Tuesday – and his first game for the Wanderers could be against his old club.

The 22-year-old has been in discussions with the Wanderers about a move south in recent weeks after being told by new Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey that he was surplus to requirements.

It is likely he will be offered a deal for the rest of the season at Western Sydney, but with the transfer window not opening until January 14, the first match Visconte is eligible for – if he completes a deal – is against the Roar at Suncorp Stadium on January 20.

The Roar are well stocked with left-sided wingers, with Henrique, Nick Fitzgerald and versatile pair Ben Halloran and George Lambadaridis all capable of filling the role, leaving no room for Visconte.

However, it's the one position the Wanderers have struggled to fill this season. Shannon Cole has spent the most time in that role, even though he spent much of his recent career as a right-side defender at Sydney FC. Mark Bridge and Jason Trifiro have also filled in when called upon.

"The club is talking to Rocky. He is a talented player and a good fit for our culture, and we are looking to him to potentially bolster the midfield on the left side," a Wanderers' spokesman said. "But nothing has been signed."

The A-League's newest club has developed a reputation as something of a last-chance saloon for fallen talent and judging by the club's top-four position, it has been an exceptional success.

Visconte, originally from Adelaide, represented Australia at every level from under-17 to under-23 and spent four years on the books of Scottish Premier League club Hearts before joining the Roar in 2010, where he made 24 appearances and scored two goals.

He released a statement on Twitter thanking the club for giving him the chance to taste grand final success over the past two seasons.

"Thank you Brisbane Roar and all the people who have supported myself and the club while I've been here," he said. "[It] was a special time that I'll never forget."

His most notable moment came in the 2011 A-League grand final against Central Coast when forced the corner that led to the last-minute equalising goal, which helped the Roar go on to win the title.

However, he largely struggled for game time since, with Mulvey allowing him to find a new club.

“Rocky has worked hard at training since I arrived at the club and we wish him the best of luck for the future,” Mulvey said. “These decisions are never taken lightly, but we felt it was the right thing to do at this point in time.

“At this stage of his career Rocky needs to play first-team football and he was not likely to figure in our first-team plans."